I’m skipping this week’s Thursday Tea to share the images from my African maternity photoshoot! I’m SO so happy with how the photos came out – I want to frame every single one and put them all through the apartment!
For the shoot, I wanted to do two different looks: one that celebrated Jonathan and my African heritage, and will remind our child of their pan-African origin, and another one that was more intimate and romantic. I knew ahead of time that I’d want to keep the intimate images private and not share them on social media – I’ve talked before about the delicate balance of having a public persona and keeping things to yourself, and this is one way I navigate that dilemma. So the images in this post are mostly from the African maternity photoshoot concept, but I included 1 teaser image from the second concept because I just couldn’t resist!




Super excited that I got to work with an all female team for this shoot, which was so important since we were celebrating womanhood and motherhood. I took a giant risk by working with people I’d never met before, but everything came out so wonderfully – I highly recommend all these creatives!
Photography: Lyra Aoko
Makeup: Mdeizi Makeup
Body Art: Khaduri Creative (What’s crazy is that a few days after I brainstormed my mood board, Khaduri slid into my email offering to do a body art maternity shoot for me. Our visions were so aligned, and I immediately said yes! The body art really set the images over the top, without feeling costume-y or appropriating.)
Hair: done by me (an old blowout then braided with Carol’s Daughter Coco Creme Coil Enhancing Moisture Butter)
Nude Bikini: Nubian Skin
Ankara Fabric: Hi-Target, purchased from African Fabric & Designs Kenya (by Adams Arcade)
Beaded Necklace: Aphia Sakyi
Earrings: bought in Harlem at the Malcolm Shabazz Market but similar ones here
And now for the sneak peak of the 2nd concept! For those who know the story of my wedding, I actually forgot my veil at home so didn’t get to wear it on the big day, so knew I wanted to incorporate it in my maternity photos at some point. GIRLLLLL!!! This is probably my favorite picture ever taken of me ever in life. My goodness!!!

I had a lot of other ideas for the maternity shoot, but I’ll have to save them for the next time we’re pregnant (God willing)! If you’re pregnant, I highly recommend taking maternity photos – it’s a great way to commemorate the strength and beauty of your body, and makes it much easier to forget all the annoying aspects of pregnancy!
you look so cute in those pic.. very nice concept but the nude is a No No for me..
You look so beautiful! Congratulations!
These photos are absolutely beautiful! AND THE SNEAK PEEK! Gorgeous!!
The makeup, the ankara, the body art…everything worked so perfectly! And that brown skin dripppppp! Wheewwww, that sneak peak is fire!
Wow!!! Your beauty is undeniable and only enhanced by your carrying life! Seriously gasped when I saw the veil photo! Writing that one down for the future.
You really do lool amazing!
*look
These are absolutely beautiful ?
So stunning, pregnancy looks good on you.
Aww. God bless you look amazingly beautiful! Congratulations to you and your husband!
Was about to ask where is Jonathan, till I read. I love love he pics, when I was pregnant did not have the energy to take pics, but hubby forced me and I’m glad he did because I look back and admire how the body changes.
So lovely ????can’t wait for the baby to arrive ????
You are a work of art and the body art is so complimenting
The pictures are so lovely. You look like art.
Oh I love all these pictures! You look amazingly beautiful! ???
Breathtaking! This is so lovely and the pictures speak for themselves. Excellence! Great job! The veil is my favorite but I like them all. ?
Love these so much! You look wonderful! Definitely a great reminder to have 🙂
You are absolutely glowing!! Love this!!
Soooo beautiful!♥️
love the so much, you look beautiful!!